The strongest recorded storm in the Americas hit land as a Category 5 hurricane and as it moved into the interior lost strength and looks set to be reclassified as a tropical storm in the coming hours.

According to Mexico’s National Disaster Fund some 400,000 people are vulnerable to the extreme weather.

The country’s president, Enrique Peña Nieto urged vigilance:“We can’t yet lower our guard. I insist: the most dangerous part of the hurricane has yet to enter the national territory.
I ask the Mexican people to be watchful over the coming hours and listen for information from government officials over Hurricane Patricia.”